https://www.lebanon-me.org/fire-ems

Lebanon Fire-EMS, 3 Upper Cross Road, Lebanon, ME (2026)

08/13/2026

Training Today for Tomorrow’s Emergencies

Members of Lebanon Fire-EMS are hard at work today sharpening their skills through hands-on training in search and rescue operations, Mayday procedures, and firefighter self-extrication techniques.

To make the training more realistic and challenging, members’ facepieces were covered to create a “blackout” condition, simulating the zero-visibility environment firefighters may encounter inside a smoke-filled structure. This requires personnel to rely on their training, communication, teamwork, and ability to operate effectively without visual references.

Training is a critical part of what we do. Emergency incidents are often stressful, fast-moving, and unpredictable. Practicing these skills under realistic conditions helps our personnel build the confidence and muscle memory needed to remain calm, work through problems, and perform safely when conditions are at their worst.

We are proud of the dedication our members continue to demonstrate through training and professional development. Every hour spent practicing today helps us remain prepared to serve our community when it matters most.

Community First. Service Always.

07/17/2026

Yesterday, Lebanon Fire-EMS responded to a rapidly spreading brush fire on Milton Mills Road. The fire involved approximately 200 feet of roadside and wooded terrain, destroyed one vehicle, and threatened a residence, detached garage, and several additional vehicles.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all responding personnel, the fire was brought under control, the threatened structures and vehicles were protected, and no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Sanford, Shapleigh, Acton, North Berwick, Farmington, and Milton Fire Departments for their mutual-aid response. We also thank the Maine Forest Service for responding and assisting with the investigation.

Incidents like this demonstrate the importance of strong regional partnerships and coordinated emergency response. Thank you to every firefighter and agency that assisted today.

Community First

07/01/2026

Lebanon Fire-EMS Community Notice
Cooling Center on Standby Due to Extreme Heat

Lebanon Fire-EMS would like to advise the community that the Lebanon Cooling Center has been placed on standby as southern Maine is expected to experience several days of extreme heat and high humidity.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can quickly become dangerous, especially for older adults, young children, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and those working or spending extended periods outdoors.

Heat Safety Tips

To help protect yourself and your family, please follow these best practices:

- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day, typically between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Take frequent breaks in air-conditioned buildings or shaded areas if working outside.
- Never leave children, older adults, or pets in a parked vehicle, even for a short period.
- Check on neighbors, family members, and friends, especially those who may be elderly or medically vulnerable.
- Know the signs of heat-related illness. If someone experiences dizziness, confusion, fainting, nausea, rapid pulse, or stops sweating while overheated, move them to a cool location, begin cooling measures, and call 911 immediately.

If you do not have access to air conditioning and need a safe place to cool down, the Lebanon Cooling Center is available by request.

To arrange access to the cooling center, please contact:

Chief Kevin Bataran
📞 207-608-0805

Janice Church
📞 207-360-1934

Lebanon Fire-EMS is committed to keeping our community safe. Please take this heat seriously, look out for one another, and remember—Community First.

06/23/2026

🚒 NOW HIRING – PER-DIEM ASSISTANT CHIEF 🚒

Lebanon Fire-EMS is seeking an experienced, motivated, and professional individual to serve as a Per-Diem Assistant Chief.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to help lead a progressive combination fire and EMS department committed to providing exceptional service to our community. The successful candidate will work closely with the Fire Chief to support daily operations, emergency response activities, training initiatives, personnel development, and organizational growth.

Our Philosophy: Community First

At Lebanon Fire-EMS, we believe that when we serve our community, we strengthen our organization. Our mission extends beyond emergency response—we are committed to building relationships, earning trust, and providing compassionate service every day. We are seeking a leader who shares this vision and is dedicated to putting Community First in every decision and every interaction.

Position Responsibilities

✅ Respond to emergency incidents and assist with incident management
✅ Support department operations and administrative functions
✅ Assist with training, recruitment, and personnel development
✅ Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, and teamwork
✅ Help advance department goals and strategic initiatives
✅ Serve as a positive representative of Lebanon Fire-EMS within the community

Preferred Qualifications

• Firefighter I & II Certification (ProBoard or equivalent required)
• Maine EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic License preferred
• Fire Officer Certification preferred
• Fire Service Instructor Certification preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Commitment to serving the community and supporting department personnel

About Lebanon Fire-EMS

Lebanon Fire-EMS proudly serves a rural community of approximately 56 square miles, providing fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services. Our department continues to invest in modern equipment, enhanced training opportunities, firefighter safety initiatives, and innovative programs that improve service delivery.

We are building the future of Lebanon Fire-EMS through:
🚒 Modern apparatus and equipment upgrades
📚 Expanded training and leadership development
👨‍🚒 Recruitment and retention initiatives
🤝 Regional collaboration and partnerships
❤️ A commitment to our guiding principle: Community First

📧 For application information or questions, please contact:

Fire Chief Kevin Bataran
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (207) 608-0805

Join a department that is moving forward, investing in its people, and making a difference every day.

Help Lead the Future of Lebanon Fire-EMS.
Community First. Always.

06/21/2026

COMMUNITY NOTICE – CHAMPION STREET ROAD CLOSURE

The Lebanon Fire Department would like to notify residents that Champion Street is currently closed in the area of 26 Champion Street.

Last night, a motor vehicle accident resulted in a telephone pole being struck and taken down. Utility lines were brought down across the roadway. Central Maine Power responded overnight and completed emergency repairs to restore the pole and power service.

At this time, however, utility wires remain down across the roadway, creating a significant hazard for motorists and pedestrians. The road will remain closed until the appropriate utility crews can safely remove the remaining wires and clear the roadway.

Please seek alternate routes and avoid the area until further notice.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as crews work to make the area safe for travel.

Thank you,
Lebanon Fire Department

06/20/2026

NOW HIRING – FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTER/EMS PROVIDER

Lebanon Fire-EMS is seeking a dedicated and motivated individual to join our team as a Full-Time Firefighter/EMS Provider.

If you are passionate about serving your community, providing high-quality emergency medical care, and working alongside a professional and progressive department, we encourage you to apply.

Position Highlights:

✅ Full-Time Career Opportunity
✅ Competitive Pay and Benefits
✅ Modern Fire and EMS Equipment
✅ ALS Transport Service
✅ Supportive Team Environment
✅ Opportunities for Professional Development and Advancement

Pay Scale
💲 EMT: Starting at $24.00/hour
💲 Advanced EMT: Starting at $25.00/hour
💲 Paramedic: Starting at $30.00/hour

Minimum Qualifications:
• Maine EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic License (or ability to obtain reciprocity)
• Firefighter I & II Certification (Pro Board or equivalent Required)
• Valid Driver's License
• Ability to meet the physical and professional requirements of the position

About Lebanon Fire-EMS:
Lebanon Fire-EMS proudly serves a rural community of approximately 56 square miles, providing both fire suppression and emergency medical services. Our department operates with a commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and our guiding principle:

COMMUNITY FIRST

We are continually investing in our future through:
• A new pumper/tanker entering service
• New turnout gear acquisitions
• Planned ambulance replacement
• Blue Card Incident Management Training
• SCBA Replacement
• Ongoing Recruitment and Department Growth
• Service to Our Community

Location: Lebanon, Maine

For application information or questions, please contact:

Fire Chief Kevin Bataran
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (207) 608-0805

Join a department that is moving forward, investing in its people, and making a difference every day.

06/06/2026

Community Budget Update #3 – Air Pack Replacement

As part of my commitment to transparency and keeping our community informed, I would like to provide additional information regarding another Lebanon Fire-EMS budget proposal that will be presented to voters on June 9th.

At Lebanon Fire-EMS, our guiding principle is Community First. Every budget request is evaluated through that lens: How does this investment improve the safety of our residents, support our firefighters, and ensure we remain prepared to respond when our community needs us most?

One of the items included in the budget is a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) request to fund the purchase of four Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units and one Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Pack.

SCBAs, commonly referred to as air packs, are one of the most critical pieces of life safety equipment used by firefighters. These units provide breathable air while operating inside burning buildings, hazardous atmospheres, confined spaces, and other environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health. Without a properly functioning SCBA, firefighters cannot safely perform interior firefighting, search and rescue operations, or many other emergency tasks required to protect our community.

Lebanon Fire-EMS currently maintains 18 SCBA units in service. Of those units, 8 were purchased in 2013 and 10 were purchased in 2022. According to our equipment inventory, the 2013 units were manufactured in September 2013 and are compliant with NFPA 1981 (2007 Edition) standards. The remaining 10 units were purchased in 2022 and comply with NFPA 1981 (2018 Edition) standards.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regularly updates standards governing firefighter breathing apparatus to improve firefighter safety, communications, reliability, and performance. The SCBA units purchased in 2013 are compliant with the 2007 edition of NFPA 1981 and are now two major revision cycles behind current standards. Since NFPA typically updates SCBA standards every four to five years, these units are approaching two decades behind modern safety benchmarks.

As a result, the department must begin replacing these older units. The eight SCBA units purchased in 2013 will need to be removed from front-line service next year, creating a significant replacement need.

Additionally, Lebanon Fire-EMS will be placing a new pumper/tanker into service later this year. The apparatus has seating positions for six firefighters requiring assigned SCBA units, creating an additional equipment need to ensure the vehicle is fully operational and properly equipped when it enters service.

When these needs are combined, the department requires:

Replacement of 8 aging SCBA units
6 additional SCBA units for the new pumper/tanker
1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Pack for firefighter rescue operations

This represents a total need of 14 SCBA units and 1 RIT Pack over the coming year.

Recognizing the significant cost associated with replacing this equipment, the Fire Department worked collaboratively with the Selectboard and Budget Committee to develop a fiscally responsible replacement plan. Rather than purchasing all required equipment in a single year, the agreed-upon strategy is to purchase five units per year through the Capital Improvement Program.

This phased approach allows the department to:

Maintain firefighter safety and operational readiness.
Replace aging equipment before it becomes obsolete.
Properly equip new apparatus entering service.
Spread costs over multiple budget cycles.
Minimize the annual impact on taxpayers.

Most importantly, this approach allows us to continue putting Community First by ensuring that the firefighters responding to your emergencies have the equipment necessary to safely protect lives and property while also respecting the financial investment made by Lebanon taxpayers.

This proposal reflects the shared commitment of the Fire Department, Selectboard, and Budget Committee to balance firefighter safety with responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Lebanon Fire-EMS remains committed to transparency, accountability, and long-term planning. Replacing aging SCBA equipment is not about expanding services or increasing inventory; it is about ensuring that firefighters have the modern, reliable life safety equipment necessary to safely protect the residents and visitors of Lebanon.

When you call 911, you expect firefighters to arrive equipped, trained, and ready to respond. Maintaining modern breathing apparatus helps ensure we can continue to meet that expectation. By investing in this equipment today, we are investing in the safety of our firefighters, the protection of our community, and the future of Lebanon Fire-EMS.

Community First. Always.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this important budget item and for your continued support of Lebanon Fire-EMS.

Respectfully,

Kevin Bataran
Fire Chief

06/04/2026

Community Budget Update #2 – Turnout Gear Replacement

As part of my commitment to transparency and keeping our community informed, I would like to provide additional information regarding the Lebanon Fire-EMS budget proposal that will be presented to voters on June 9th.

One of the items included in the budget is a request to place $20,000 into a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) account for the replacement of firefighter turnout gear. I believe it is important for the community to understand both what turnout gear is and why this funding request is necessary.

Turnout gear is the specialized protective clothing firefighters wear when responding to structure fires, vehicle fires, rescues, and other hazardous emergencies. It is the primary line of defense between a firefighter and the dangers they encounter while protecting our community. Modern turnout gear is designed to protect firefighters from extreme heat, flames, steam burns, falling debris, sharp objects, hazardous contaminants, and severe weather conditions. Simply put, turnout gear helps ensure that the firefighters who respond to your emergency can do so safely and return home to their families afterward.

Like any safety equipment, turnout gear has a limited service life. Over time, repeated exposure to heat, smoke, contaminants, sunlight, moisture, and normal wear and tear degrades the protective qualities of the gear. While gear may appear serviceable from the outside, the protective layers that provide life-saving protection can become compromised. For that reason, national standards require turnout gear to be removed from front-line service when it reaches the end of its service life. Expired turnout gear can no longer be used in Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) environments, such as interior structural firefighting operations.

As you can see from the turnout gear replacement schedule, Lebanon Fire-EMS currently has 12 sets of turnout gear that will expire and become unusable for IDLH environments. Earlier this year, I was able to secure a charitable grant that allowed the department to purchase 8 replacement sets of turnout gear without using taxpayer dollars. That grant significantly reduced the financial burden on our community while addressing a large portion of our replacement needs.

The current budget request seeks funding for 4 additional sets of turnout gear, which represents the remaining gear scheduled to expire during the upcoming budget cycle. This request does not increase our inventory, expand staffing, or add equipment beyond our operational needs. It simply allows Lebanon Fire-EMS to maintain the turnout gear inventory we currently have and ensure that every firefighter has access to safe, compliant protective equipment.

By funding these purchases through a Capital Improvement Program, we can proactively plan for future equipment replacement needs, spread costs over time, and avoid larger unexpected expenditures in future budgets. This approach reflects our commitment to responsible financial planning and long-term sustainability.

Lebanon Fire-EMS remains committed to transparency, accountability, and being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Every budget request is carefully evaluated to ensure it supports our mission while respecting the investment made by the taxpayers of Lebanon.

Replacing expired turnout gear is not simply an equipment purchase—it is an investment in firefighter safety, operational readiness, and our ability to continue providing reliable emergency services to the residents and visitors of Lebanon. When firefighters answer a call for help, they deserve the protective equipment necessary to do their job safely and effectively.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this important budget item and for your continued support of Lebanon Fire-EMS.

Respectfully,

Kevin Bataran
Fire Chief

05/14/2026

From the Chief’s Desk
Community First

Our motto here at Lebanon Fire-EMS is simple: “Community First.”
We believe in serving the community with professionalism, dedication, and accountability every single day.

A tremendous amount of hard work and dedication went into developing the proposed Lebanon Fire-EMS budget you will be voting on in June. I want to take a moment to be transparent and informative regarding the upcoming budget because I firmly believe every resident deserves to be an informed voter.

I will be putting out several community messages about the budget to help inform residents how their tax dollars are being spent at the fire department.

You will notice that the proposed fire department budget increased this year, and I want you to understand the why behind that increase.

The largest increase within the budget is payroll costs. This increase is not due to department-wide raises or excessive spending. Rather, it reflects accurate forecasting of the true payroll hours required to operate the department responsibly and sustainably.

The remainder of the fire department budget contains only a small increase. Proper forecasting and proper allotment of payroll hours accounts for the largest change in the budget.

In previous years, payroll expenses were funded through several line items that covered a wide variety of costs, including:

• Chief’s salary
• Full-time employee wages
• Per-diem employee wages
• On-call employee wages
• Monthly fire and EMS training payroll
• On-boarding and new hire training payroll
• Special wages for miscellaneous duties such as hose testing, equipment and medication pickups, and vehicle maintenance trips
• Overtime wages
• Earned leave pay

All of these expenses were historically being drawn from three payroll pools. As a result, payroll costs could never be accurately tracked or forecasted. Important operational costs such as training, on-boarding new personnel, on-call responses, special wages, and earned leave were not properly accounted for. This lack of forecasting was a major contributor to previous budgets exceeding projected spending.

The proposed budget you will see on the June ballot reflects extensive work and collaboration between the Fire Department, the Selectboard, and the Budget Committee. The budget is built upon the same operational staffing model currently being used today:

• Two duty crew members on 24 hours a day
• One additional crew member for 8 hours during the day

This provides a total of 56 staffing hours of emergency coverage every single day, seven days a week, ensuring continued emergency response capability for the Town of Lebanon.

I strongly believe in being a good steward of the resources entrusted to us. The members of Lebanon Fire-EMS respond to emergencies every single day. They have answered every call for service requested of them from the community, many times managing multiple stacked emergency calls occurring simultaneously. Our staff continues to provide a high level of emergency medical care to the community, transporting patients at the Advanced Life Support (ALS) level over 60% of the time. This percentage is significantly higher than many surrounding agencies that primarily transport at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level. They have continued to get the job done, with professionalism, integrity, and excellence, with the resources available while operating within our budget. They have walked the razor’s edge all year in an effort to be responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars. I am proud of the members that serve this community.

What many people do not see are the sacrifices made in order to accomplish that.

We have sacrificed training opportunities because funding was limited. We have reduced certain call-member responses under specific conditions to help control costs. We have delayed hiring personnel because we did not have the payroll capacity necessary to properly on-board and train them.

Those sacrifices helped us remain financially responsible, but they also have an impact on the fire department and, ultimately, the community we serve.

The proposed budget is designed not only to maintain services today, but to build a more sustainable and accountable future for Lebanon Fire-EMS. It reflects honest forecasting, operational reality, and a commitment to transparency.

Please reach out and contact me with any questions regarding the upcoming fire department ballot questions. I can be reached at the station Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 207-457-6556 or by email at [email protected].

Stay tuned for more information regarding the Fire Department Ballot questions.

Our mission remains unchanged:
Community First.

Kevin Bataran
Interim Fire Chief
Lebanon Fire-EMS

05/12/2026

Lebanon Fire-EMS – Call Company Recruitment
Now is the time to apply to become a Call Member with Lebanon Fire-EMS.
Call members respond from home when available to assist the on-duty crew during emergency calls, providing critical support that strengthens our overall response capability.
We are seeking:

• Firefighters
• EMS Providers
• Community members ready to learn and serve

Starting Hourly Rates:
• Firefighter I & II – Starting at $20.00/hour
• EMT – Starting at $20.00/hour

Requirements: • Must live in the Town of Lebanon or very close to town to ensure a timely response

This is a vital role in supporting your community and standing ready when your neighbors need help most. Whether experienced or new to the field, you will be part of a team committed to professionalism, readiness, and service.

Step up. Get involved. Make a difference. Join Lebanon Fire-EMS.

For more information or to apply, contact:

Kevin Bataran
Interim Fire Chief
Station: 207-457-6556
Cell: 207-608-0805
Email: [email protected]

Lebanon Fire-EMS

08/13/2026

07/17/2026

07/01/2026

06/23/2026

06/21/2026

06/20/2026

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